The return to Steel Rigg, north of Carlisle, for a four race meeting attracted 48 runners.
The seniors got things under way with a slip of six runners as the warm weather took its toll on numbers. Owners preferred to keep the hounds off until it cools down.
With the second of the major HRA trails just over a week away many owners want to keep the hounds sound for this event.
Sportsman was favourite, having won the last trail at Steel Rigg, just under a week ago.
Last year’s runner-up in the senior championship demonstrated then that he still has what it takes to win races.
As the hounds came back into view there were three clear and it was Sportsman for Willie and Craig Mark that was leading them.
He was being chased down by Jenny’s Chance for Denise and Jenny Bland but the pursuer just couldn’t make up enough ground to catch the leader who came away to win by five lengths.
These two had pulled away from the third hound which was Baroness Ava for James and Ava McClellan.
In fourth place was Denise and Jenny’s other hound Huntsman’s Unite who finished a little back in fourth place.
Both Jenny’s Chance and Huntsman’s Unite were both last year’s pups who finished third and fourth in the puppy championship table and who appear to be coping well with the step up into the senior hounds.
In fifth place was Minnie Million for Brian and Joy lister and to round things off Denise and Jenny’s other Hound Huntsman’s Time finished sixth.
The pups were next to slip with 11 runners. Cinderella for Sadie, Kes and Graham Wilson was sent off as favourite.
As they showed in the distance seven hounds were running together as they approached the gap in the wall but Zinger, for Anna and Kerry Lindsay, ran high and missed the gap putting himself out of contention.
What Is It for Ruth and Charlie Dixon came through to lead but was chased down by Rodney Ranger for Nicola McMaster and Barbara Telford and as they crossed the line they were neck and neck.
The judge had to refer to the camera and was unable to separate them and gave a dead heat.
Charlie’s Dream for George McGimpsey, Gillian, Millie and Charlie Telford finished well in third place with Ruth and Charlie Dixon’s other hound Let Me Try Again finishing in fourth place.
Zinger who had ran high and missed the gap eventually finished in fifth place with Carol and Stanley Jackson’s Croft Mist finishing in sixth place.
The Open maidens had a slip of 17 with Croft Lass sent off as the favourite but as they showed there were six or seven with a lead over the rest.
As they approached the gap in the wall it was a great race between Senor for Malcolm Holmes and Colin Satterthwaite’s Thorn Pop and Thorn Heart.
But it was the bigger hound Senor who kept driving forward and he crossed the line ahead of Thorn Pop then Thorn Heart a couple of yards behind.
There was a bigger gap to the next two, both local hounds, Inspect for the Lindsay sisters and Mr Mally in fifth for George Burgeon and Carol Tunstall.
Croft Lass finished in sixth place for Carol and Stanley Jackson.
The final race of the night was for the open restricted with a slip of 11 runners. Willie and Craig Mark’s Summer Spirit was sent off as the favourite but it was kennel mates Denton Adonis and Denton Phantom who led them out.
Back on the long run in and it was Sarah and Elsie White’s Malfunction, Brian and Erin Rawlinson’s Blue Striker, Willie and Craig Mark’s Summer Spirit and Tracey, Caroline and Derrick Hill’s Maggie Moon who had established a slight lead as they approached the gap in the wall.
On the run in it was a good race with Maggie Moon and Blue Striker just coming away from the other two hounds.
The win went to Maggie Moon who crossed the line in front from Blue Striker followed by the favourite Summer Spirit then Malfunction.
There was a slight gap to Jenny Horn’s Spring Return and then Denton Phantom for Lee, Haley, George and Joey Wall and Sandra and Teddy Storrow.
With the weather set to cool down at the weekend racing will resume at Bridekirk on Saturday morning with a four race meeting followed by a return to Greenholme in the south of the county for a four race meeting on Sunday.
Steel Rigg – May 27
- Hounds – 1. Sportsman; 2. Jenny’s Chance; 3. Baroness Ava; 4. Huntsman’s Unite; 5. Minnie Million; 6. Huntsman’s Time; 6 ran, time 30.15.
- Pups – 1. Dead Heat – What Is It and Rodney ; 3. Charlie’s Dream; 4. Let Me Try Again; 5. Zinger; 6. Croft Mist. 14 ran, time 21.23.
- Open Maiden – 1. Senor; 2. Thorn Pop; 3. Thorn Heart; 4. Inspect; 5. Mr Mally; 6. Croft Lass. 17 ran, time 20.56.
- Open Restricted – 1. Maggie Moon; 2. Blue Striker; 3. Summer Spirit; 4. Malfunction; 5, Spring Return; 6. Denton Phantom. 11 ran, time 19.45.
